U.S. officials have approved the first over the counter birth control pill, a major change that will broaden access for women and teenagers. Fond du Lac County Health Educator Raine Bleecker says hopefully this will help people overcome barriers that exist now in access to contraceptive care. Medical societies and women’s health groups have pushed for wider access, noting that an estimated 45 percent of the six million annual pregnancies in the U.S. are unintended. Drug maker Perrigo won’t start selling the pill until early next year. The Ireland-based company did not announce a price. Many common medications have made the switch to non-prescription status in recent decades, including drugs for pain, heartburn and allergies.
